Multisports: Gemmell claims another Oceania title

New Zealand triathlete Kris Gemmell. Photo / Dean Purcell

Palmerston North's Kris Gemmell claimed back-to-back victories at the ITU Oceania triathlon championships but, unlike last year, glory and the finish tape was all his today.

Gemmell was last year pipped by Frenchman Laurent Vidal, who was ineligible to win the Oceania title, but today the New Zealander crossed the line first, five seconds ahead of Australian Aaron Royle. Aucklander Ryan Sissons crossed third, winning the under-23 title in the process.

Gemmell was always in control of the race, leading virtually the entire way and making his break for victory well before the finish line to cruise home to the cheers of the large crowd.

"This is important to me, to go back-to-back as Oceania and New Zealand champion feels great and today and I will be proud to carry both titles with me around the world for the remainder of the year," Gemmell said.

In the women's race, Britain's Vicky Holland continued her love affair with New Zealand this summer by taking out the event which doubled as the final round of the national series, albeit the British triathlete was not eligible for either honour.

She was up for the prize money and the prestige, though, on a blustery but warm Wellington day, breaking away from doughty Czech Republic triathlete Vendula Frintova to win by 8sec, backing up from her Takapuna victory last month.

"I think I am three from three, it's not bad down here, I think I like it," she beamed.

"I had a rough start in the swim but it came together and I was in the lead pack on the bike, took a few turns and felt good heading out on to the run feeling like a could run well. I was yo-yoing off the back of Vendula for a few laps but on the last lap when I sensed her dropping off a bit and surged and took the victory."

Australian Ashleigh Gentle ran strongly for third place and the Oceania title. The best of the locals was 20-year-old Rebecca Kingsford from Tirau as she upstaged her more experienced rivals to not only claim New Zealand honours but win the Oceania under-23 title in coming home sixth overall.

The bad luck story of the day belonged to New Zealand's world No 6 Andrea Hewitt.

The defending champion looked to be in great form and was comfortably in the lead group early on the bike, but she had to stop twice, first to check what appeared to be a puncture and then again a lap later when her rear tyre exploded in spectacular fashion.

Hewitt lost over 3min but carried on to finish in sixth in the elite women's race.

Not surprisingly given their limited preparation both Debbie Tanner and Kate McIlroy struggled with the pace on the run, Tanner dropping back to finish seventh and McIlroy calling it a day early on the run, content with a strong hit out on the swim and bike.

- NZPA